Assessing Developmental Gerstmann's Syndrome in an adult: a case report

Area of Science:

• Neuropsychology
• Neurology
• Developmental Disorders

Background:

• Developmental Gerstmann's Syndrome (DGS) is a proposed neurological disorder with characteristic symptoms including finger agnosia, acalculia, right-left disorientation, and agraphia.
• Case studies of DGS are infrequent, especially those focusing on adult assessments.
• This study examines a young adult with an autoimmune disorder presenting DGS symptoms without a history of neurological damage.

Purpose of the Study:

• To document and analyze the presentation of DGS symptoms in a young adult female.
• To explore the challenges in assessing DGS in high-functioning adults.
• To highlight the need for standardized diagnostic tools for DGS.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive neuropsychological assessment was administered to a young adult female seeking academic accommodations.
• The assessment evaluated mathematical concepts, spatial orientation, writing abilities, finger recognition, and fine motor skills.
• The client's performance was analyzed for patterns consistent with DGS criteria.

Main Results:

• The client exhibited symptoms consistent with DGS, including difficulties with mathematical concepts, right-left disorientation, inverted writing, and mild finger agnosia.
• Variability in assessment performance suggested the presence of compensatory strategies developed by the client.
• The findings align with previous adult case studies of DGS.

Conclusions:

• The case provides further evidence supporting DGS as a distinct syndrome.
• Assessing DGS in high-functioning adults presents unique challenges.
• A standardized testing battery is crucial for accurate DGS assessment in adults.